Seeing as how I just went through hours of orientation at LLU, I should be able to clear up some things along with dr. jdh.
I thought it was the most random question out of all my secondaries so far. And does that mean we have to go to chapel during med school? Kinda strange?
Chapel is certainly required, and because they know that people may have a problem with this, they tell you on the secondary, so you aren't surprised when you matriculate here. I've been in Adventist institutions from Kindergarten to the present, and there has always been mandatory chapel. If you are a Christian, its actually a little oasis during the middle of the week; if you aren't then it'll probably be annoying.
Wow. As a Christian who was quite enthusiastic about applying to Loma Linda (thought it was my only chance on the west coast) this news is quite upsetting.
If I can't crack open a cold beer at the end of a long day I don't see any reason to continue living.
I hope you were kidding about the christian thing. Disregard what is "traditionally" done by other christian denominations and read the bible for yourself: Proverbs 20:1, Proverbs 23:19-21, Proverbs 23: 29-35. I"m not judging anyone, because everyone is at a different position in their journey, but LLU's policy can only help you my friend.
I'm sure you can go nuts if you're married. They're not stupid, they want some little adventists running around.
Lol, exactly. As is taught in most churches; sex outside of marriage is wrong, and therefore not allowed. But once again, LLU isn't God, so only God can tell if you are keeping or breaking the rule. There aren't LLU spies hiding in your closets.
Lol, this is fun to read. I am an Adventist and our beliefs can seem outrageous sometimes--I won't argue 🙂.
In response to some of these statements:
I'm fairly certain that attending Chapel/Church is not required--would they seriously put forth the effort to monitor that? It wasn't required back in the 80's when my father attended there, so it certainly wouldn't be now.
Alcohol consumption is against our religious belief, just like extramarital sex (I'll spare you the reasoning). It seems like the opinion here is "OMG if i drink one drop of alcohol, they will kick me out of school!" Unless you show up drunk or severely hung-over, I doubt anyone will notice or care.
Oh, and sex is just fine if you are married.
Chapel is 150% required in terms of attendance. You either make it up now, and when they give you free time to study for Step 1.
Thanks.
Atheist, that's what I intended to ask. Does Loma Linda accept any applicant who has not wholeheartedly committed to any particular religion yet? And how? The applicant in my case is not necessarily an atheist because he always respects everyone's god. Also, there is always some religion that doesn't prohibit participation with activity in another religion including the Chapel.
Now I'm beginning to wonder how SDA recruits new members. I guess they don't go door to door knocking the way some Christian does.
Actually, that's how the SDA church started; door to door ministry and many members still do it, although it is dying down.
Its certainly possible to be admitted being a muslim or a non-christian, but the probably is pretty slim overall for you getting into LLU, especially if its clear that you aren't christian. But folks do get in without being christian.
ABSOLUTELY NOT. I know of Muslims and Jews who have been accepted to LLU. I think that any religious affiliation is only looked more positively on rather than no religious affiliation.
Yeah it happens but if you wanted to have the maximum chance of getting in, I would go the christian route.
"The School of Medicine is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church; therefore, preference for admission is given to members of the Church. However, it is a firm policy of the admissions committee to admit each year a number of non-church-related applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to Christian principles and are best suited for meeting the educational goals of the School. No candidate is accepted on the basis of religious affiliation alone."
From their admissions page. Does this mean anyone can open up a medical school and admit only members of their own religion?
It seems interesting but from the above paragraph, it seems they might have some sort of Affirmative Action thing going for non-SDAers, that are still committed to "Christian principles", whatever that means. I don't think you even have to be Christian to be committed to "Christian principles."
Reminds me of Gandhi who said: "I love your Christ, but not your Christians. Why can't you be more like Christ" or something like that. LOL.
Suprisingly, there are more none Adventists in the class than ADventists because most Adventists either go to their state medical schools, or don't come to LLU do to money. or they just may take LLU for granted. Whatever the reason, there is probably more of an affirmative action thing for adventists than non-adventists.
One thing leads to another. Now I can't help wondering if Loma Linda exclusively provides health care to Christian patients. Is this the only school in the USA that doesn't have much interest in diversity in the student body?
The class is actually pretty diverse. And if you knew the make-up of the Loma Linda/San Bernadino area, it would be clear that they don't only treat Christian patients.
------------------------
Honestly folks. LLU don't hide its true colors at all. Its a great school with clear policies and if you can stand them then it is truly a great environment to be in. I'm not sad at all that I chose to come here, and in terms of clinical training, they beat out alot of other schools. Trust me when I say that the pros greatly outweigh any cons that you can find.
